Quick report
- Red Flags
- Wind Loading, Cracking, Poor Snowpack Structure
Dave's 1/5 forecast verified, with Low danger at low elevations and a Moderate danger at mid-elevations. We only went as high as 8,500' so never traveled into upper-elevation terrain. No signs of natural avalanches, but we stayed clear of steep northerly facing slopes.
Photos:
- Wind effects along Cutler Ridge
- Ben Lomond Headwall where the summit was obscured
- Beautiful lighting along Cutler, with a rainbow in the moist, supercooled clouds
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>We did not dig down to the PWL, but quick probes show weak snow in the bottom 30 cms of the snowpack on NW/N/NE aspects up to 8,500'</p> <p>Some wind-drifting between 7,800' - 8,500', but they were shallow pockets and mostly unreactive other than some minor cracking. East-facing slopes had the densest drifts, up to 30 cms thick.</p> <p> </p> <p>My biggest concern with wind drifting is on slopes facing NW/N/NE aspects where the PWL exists.</p>
5 cms (~2 inches) at trailhead and through North Fork Park, with up to 10 cms (~4 inches) above 7,800'
Warm temperatures Friday firmed up the existing old snow surface and combined with Saturday's dense snow, it made for excellent travel and excellent low-angled riding outside of steeper avalanche terrain.